“[The Obama Administration] publicly declared its intention to shut down coal-fired power plants – putting hundreds of thousands of Americans out of work and sending electricity prices skyrocketing…. A Heritage Foundation analysis found that implementing Obama’s proposed regulation on existing coal plants would destroy more than 500,000 jobs, slash the income of a typical family of four more than $1,400 a year, and increase electricity prices at least 20 percent.” (Phil Kerpen, 2013) Such was conservative news site TownHall.com’s response to President Obama’s speech at Georgetown University this last Tuesday.
In his speech, Obama talked about the effects of global warming and called the country to action. He compared carbon dioxide, the main “greenhouse gas,” to the toxic gases that are regulated and argued that limits need to be put on carbon dioxide as well. He plans to set new energy regulation, especially targeting coal. “The old rules may say we can’t protect our environment and promote economic growth at the same time, but in America, we’ve always used new technologies… [and] discovery to make the old rules obsolete,” Obama said to counter critics.
“It’s clear now that the President has declared a war on coal,” Sen. Joe Machin said.
But even in light of his speech, Obama’s administration still denies a “war on coal.” Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said that Obama “expects fossil fuels and coal specifically, to remain a significant contributor for some time… I don’t believe it is a ‘war on coal.’” Instead, Moniz said, they’re trying to figure out how “to make coal part of a low carbon future.”
But many are still unconvinced, including Democrats. “It’s just ridiculous. … I should not have to be sitting here as a U.S. senator, fighting my own president and fighting my own government,” West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin told Fox News. Coal-state democrats argue that instead of regulating coal emissions, the government should work with power plants to make coal more environmentally friendly. Such attempts have already shown success. “According to the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE), 10 clean-coal technology plants have launched since 2011,” Fox News said. “Another five are under development or scheduled to come online.”
It will be difficult to fight against Obama’s plan, since he will implement the regulations through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), effectively going around Congress. However, Congress could try to block the regulation through legislation. The EPA will also have to work with the states as it implements its regulations.
Sources:
http://dailycaller.com/2013/07/01/obama-admin-denies-waging-a-war-on-coal/
Environmental Policies 